Chief advisor to the board of directors on best practices in corporate governance

Responsible for all regulatory compliances of company

Corporate planner and strategic manager

Role of a Company Secretary

A Company Secretary being multidisciplinary professional renders services in the following areas:

Corporate Governance and Secretarial Services

Corporate Governance Services

Corporate Secretarial Services

Secretarial/ Compliance Audit and certification Services

Corporate Laws Advisory and Representation Services

Corporate Laws Advisory Services

Representation Services

Arbitration & Conciliation Services

Financial Market Services

Public Issue, listing and Securities Management

Takeover Code, Insider trading, Mergers & Amalgamation

Securities Compliance and Certification Services

Finance & Accounting Services

Taxation Services

International Trade & WTO Services

Management Services

General/ Strategic Management

Corporate Communication and Public Relations

Human Resources Management

Information Technology

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

A qualified Company Secretary has openings in Employment and as Practising Independent Professional

Company Secretary in Employment

Company Secretary has been recognized as Key Managerial Personnel along with the Chief Executive Officer/managing director/manager, whole-time director and Chief Financial Officer. (section 203)

Being Key Managerial Personnel, Company Secretary is required to be mandatorily appointed in every company belonging to such class or classes of companies as may be prescribed.

As per the Rule 8 of Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, such prescribed class is every listed company and every other public company having a paid-up share capital of ten crore rupees or more shall have whole-time key managerial personnel.

Also as per Rule 8A, i.e. Appointment of Company Secretaries in companies not covered under rule 8.&mdash;A company other than a company covered under rule 8 which has a paid up share capital of five crore rupees or more shall have a whole-time company secretary.

Functions of the company secretary have been codified in the Companies Act, which include:-

to report to the Board about compliance with the provisions of this Act, the rules made there under and other laws applicable to the company;

to ensure that the company complies with the applicable secretarial standards;

to provide to the directors of the company, collectively and individually, such guidance as they may require, with regard to their duties, responsibilities and powers; and

to assist and advise the Board in ensuring good corporate governance and in complying with the corporate governance requirements and best practices ;

other specified functions

Company Secretary in Practice

Some of the important areas of recognition for Company Secretary in Practice include:

Pre-certification of e-forms;

Duty to report fraud;

Appointment as Administrator (Section 259);

Company Liquidators (Section 275);

Professional assistance to Company Liquidator (Section 291);

Qualifications of Tribunal (Section 409);

Adjudication of penalties (Section 454);

Secretarial Audit

Every listed company and (a) every public company having a paid-up share capital of 50 crore rupees or more; or (b) every public company having a turnover of 250 crore rupees or more shall annex a Secretarial Audit Report with its Boards report given by company secretary in practice in Form No. MR-3;

Company Secretaries in Practice also render services in the following areas:

Legal, Secretarial and Corporate Governance

Corporate Restructuring

Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures

Arbitration and Conciliation

Financial Management

Project Planning

Capital Market and Investor Relations

Due Diligence

Corporate Advisory Services

SEBI Act, SCRA and regulations made there under Depositories Act, 1996

Exim Policy etc.

Course Highlights:

10+2 pass or equivalent / Graduate can join

No Entry Barrier opportunity for every student

Cost Effective

Distance Learning any where in the world

24x7 study through e-learning

Flexibility in the schedules Registration valid for 3 to 5 years.

Excellent career opportunities for CS professional

Position of Power and Prestige

Offers Self Employment and Job Opportunities

Direct Access to Top Management / Board Room

Good remuneration and growth opportunities

Good career option for girls also.

Opportunities across various sectors at all locations.

Opportunities Abroad MOU with ICSA, London

Opportunity to pursue B.Com with Major in Corporate Affairs and Administration and M.Com in Business Policy and Corporate Governance from IGNOU.

Compulsory Computer Training:

In terms of Company Secretaries Regulations, 1982 (as amended), all students are required to successfully undergo a compulsory computer training programme for becoming eligible to seek enrolment to appear in CS Executive Programme examination.

The students may undergo computer training from any Institute or training center including Aptech Limited all over India at his / her convenience.

For details about computer training course being conducted by M/s Aptech for the students of the Institute; the options under Students&agrave; Miscellaneous on the Institutes website i.e. www.icsi.edu may be referred to.

The students may also directly refer to the portal http://icsi.aptechtrainingsolutions.com for this purpose.

The Institute, in compliance of the above said requirements, has tied up with

M/s Sify Software Limited for conducting online exemption test for the students, who claim to have adequate knowledge on computer operation. The students who will pursue the computer training from any Institute including M/s Aptech will have to enrol for and appear this online exemption test to fulfil the computer training requirement of the Institute.

For details about online exemption test being conducted by M/s Sify for the students of the Institute; the options under Students&agrave; Miscellaneous on the Institutes website i.e. www.icsi.edu may be referred to.

The students may also directly refer to the portal http://icsi.sifyitest.com for this purpose.

24X7 Study through E-Learning: (http://elearning.icsi.edu)

In order to facilitate students, e-learning portal is available for the Company Secretary Foundation Programme & Executive Programme and which will also be extended to Professional Programme in due course. Students through out the country including rural and semi-urban areas as well as from other countries can avail this 24x7 hours on-line study facility as the portal has global reach.The online CS Course includes:

Web Based Training (WBT)

Quick quizzes & Mastery test

Hyperlinks & Hot-Spots

Live Chat and Discussion Board facility

Exciting multimedia slides covering the entire study material

Video Based Training (VBT&trade;)

Quality Video Lectures

Learn from expert faculties replicating classroom training experience

Questions at regular intervals

Live Virtual Classroom (LVC)

Live broadcast of lectures over the internet

Interact Live with the faculty to remove your doubts / Queries on difficult lessons

Conducted on specified date & time with playback facility

Under e-learning, students can have continuous access to studies and guidance of faculties on-line. The e-learning module will enable the students to have access to learning and faculty support at any time as per their convenience. Interactivity will be established by modules such as Discussion Boards and Online Chat. After the proposed virtual classroom facility under e-learning portal starts, students will be able to interact live with the faculty. This will take the CS course studies virtually into the space age.

Undergoing of e-learning is in addition and not in substitution to compulsory postal tuition. E-learning is designed to provide a virtual contact between the teacher and the taught. Students intending to join e-learning are therefore, required to pay additional fees as determined by the Institute from time to time.

Online SIP and EDP - Now the students can complete the mandatory Student Induction Programme (SIP) and Executive Development Programme (EDP) online thru the elearning portal.

Stages to become a Company Secretary:

The student who would like to join the Course after 10+2 pass or equivalent has to undergo three stages to pursue the Company Secretaries Course i.e.
Foundation Programme
Executive Programme
Professional Programme

The Student who would like to join the Course after passing the Graduation has to undergo two stages of the Company Secretaryship i.e.
Executive Programme
Professional Programme

Foundation Programme which is of eight months duration can be pursued by 10+2 pass or equivalent students of Arts, Science or Commerce stream (Excluding Fine Arts)

Executive Programme can be pursued by a Graduate of all streams except Fine Arts / CPT passed of ICAI / Foundation Program passed of ICAI-CMA .

Professional Programme can be pursued only after clearing the Executive Programme of CS Course

ADMISSION TO THE CS COURSE is open throughout the year. Examinations are held twice a year in June & December.Students have to register online at www.icsi.edu

Cut off dates for admission to CS course: .

For Foundation Programme

31st March for appearing in December Examination in the same year

30th September for June Examination next year

For Executive Programme

28th February for appearing in both modules in December Exams in the same year

31st May for appearing in single module in December Examination in the same year

31st August for appearing in both modules in June Exam in the next year

30th November for appearing in single module in June Examination in the next year.

Last date for submission of application for appearing in the examination

25th March (with late fee of Rs. 250/- till 9th April)

25th September (with late fee of Rs. 250/- till 10th October)

Medium of Examination

The Institute allows facility to students to appear in examination in English as well as in Hindi. (Except Business Communication subject of Foundation Program)

Qualifying Marks

A candidate is declared to have passed the Foundation / Executive / Professional examination, if he/she secures at one sitting a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and 50% marks in the aggregate of all subjects.

Time limit for completing CS Examination

A student is required to complete the Executive and the Professional examination within the registration period. However, on payment of requisite fees the validity of registration may be renewed / extended for further period subject to fulfilling the applicable guidelines.

Existing Practical experience and training requirements
The students are required to undergo the following trainings:

7 days Student Induction Programme (SIP)- within six months of Registration to Executive Programme or exempted therefrom for becoming eligible to seek enrolment to appear in Executive Program Examination.

8 days Executive Development Programme (EDP) - after passing the Executive Programme and before commencement of 15 months training.

25 hours of Professional Development Programme (PDP) during 15 months training

15 months training after passing the Executive Programme or Professional Programme on completion of Student Induction Program and Executive Development Program with companies and Company Secretaries in Practice registered with the Institute for imparting training

3 months practical training is required to be undergone by the student if the student completes professional program examination and exempted from undergoing at least 12 months training on the basis of Company Secretaries Regulations,1982, as amended on submitting the documents to the Institute and fulfills the requirement of Regulation 48. This training will be exempted to the students who have undergone 15 months training.

15 days training in a specialized agency such as Registrar of Companies (ROC) / Stock Exchange / Financial and Banking Institution/Management Consultancy Firm can only be commenced if the student completes SIP,EDP , 15 months training and having passed professional program examination.

15 days Management Skills Orientation Programme (MSOP)- after Professional Programme and on completion of Executive Development Program and 15 months training

The students can be exempted from undergoing training totally or partially depending on the practical experience possessed by them on fulfilling the requirement of the Company Secretaries Regulations,1982, as amended, on submitting the relevant documents.

A student after passing the Professional Programme may enroll as Licentiate ICSI at his/her option until completion of training requirements.

E-Training (E-SIP, E-EDP and E-MSOP) Initiatives along with total number of students who have been enrolled

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) in collaboration with Gurukul Online Learning Solutions (GOLS) had come up with an initiative in the form of e-MSOP, in lieu of physical MSOP. e- MSOP is basically a web-based training (WBT) wherein physical presence of the participant at the venue is not necessary. The first such e-MSOP was organized by ICSI-Centre for Corporate Governance, Research& Training (CCGRT), Navi Mumbai and launched on 1st January 2012. eMSOP was launched w.e.f. 1st January 2012

After successful launch of eMSOP eSIP and eEDP were also launched on 14th April 2012.Students may undergo programmes at their ease.

MEMBERSHIP

q After qualifying the CS Professional Programme and on completion of training as provided under the CS Regulations, a candidate is enrolled as an Associate Member of the Institute and he can use the descriptive title ACS&rdquo; after his / her name.

Further Academic Pursuits

The CS course is recognised by the various Universities for admission to Ph.D Course.

Utilisation of services of members by various professional/educational bodies for academic activities

TheHeadquarters and Regional Offices offer placement services to the Members of the Institute:

Names of candidates are sponsored to prospective employers on request

Members looking for job may register online on the Institutes Website: www.icsi.edu for availing Placement assistance.

Vacancies received from companies are also displayed on the website www.icsi.edu

Campus Interviews are conducted to assist members for job and students for 15 months training

Financial Assistance/ Scholarship

Prizes, Merit Scholarship and Merit-cum-Means Assistance

The Institute awards Prizes, merit scholarships to the meritorious students

Merit-cum-Means Assistance is granted to the economically weaker students

Concession in Registration fee

Applicants belonging to SC/ST are required to pay only half the Registration fees

Physically Handicapped Students are required to pay the Registration fee as follows:

Foundation Programme: Rs.1500/-

Executive Programme: Rs. 2000/-

Professional Programme: Nil

ICSI Students Education Fund Trust

The Council of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India has revised the criteria of Financial Assistance to economically backward and academically bright students by providing total fee exemption through ICSI Students Education Fund Trust. The revised criteria will cater to larger nos. of prospective students / CS Students in providing financial assistance With a view to encourage and motivate economically backward and academically bright students to pursue the Company Secretaries Course, the Institute has created a Trust viz. ICSI Students Education Fund Trust. The Students falling in the following revised criteria can avail the ICSI Students Education Fund Trust benefits for ICSI Foundation and Executive Programme:

STAGE

CATEGORIES OF STUDENTS / ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Economically backward students with good academic records

Academically Bright Students

For Students with Family Income up to Rs.1,00,000 per annum

For Academically bright Students without any limit on their Family Income

Nature and Extent of Financial Assistance: Eligible students shall be fully exempted from paying the Registration / Admission Fee, Postal Tuition Fee, Exemption Fee and other fees usually payable at the time of admission to Foundation/ Executive Programmes.

Depending upon their performance in the CS Examinations, the students may also be exempted from payment of Examination Fee and also the fees payable at the time of admission to Executive Programme and Professional Programme (for students admitted to Foundation Programme) and Professional Programme (for students admitted to Executive Programme).

Please note that under all above mentioned provisions, student concerned is firstly required to make the full payment of the requisite fees and then submit his/her claim for refund in the prescribed application form. If found eligible, his/her fees will be refunded.

Prospectus:

Available at Headquarters/ Regional Councils/Chapters &middot;

For C.S. Foundation Programme / CS Executive Programme

Cash Payment Rs. 200/- Or by Post / Courier - DD of Rs.250/- &middot;

Demand Draft/Postal Order in favour of "The Institute of Company Secretaries of India" payable at New Delhi

Registration of students (Online at www.icsi.edu):

Online registration facility is available at Institutes student portal www.icsi.edu Students are advised to follow the instructions carefully. The fee can be remitted through Debit/Credit Cards /Net Banking facility.

After filling the particulars, making the payment of fees and uploading the scanned copies of desired documents, the system gives the Registration Number instantly.

On completion of registration as a student, the Registration Number will be intimated to the student through E-Mail and/or SMS. Students may also check the registration status at www.icsi.edu on the basis of Application Number, Mobile Number, E-mail Id, etc. Students can download the Registration Letter, Important Instructions, etc. through Institutes website www.icsi.edu by entering the Registration Number received through E-Mail/SMS.

Steps for Online Registration:

1. Click the Online Services&rdquo; button on top of the ICSI website (www.icsi.edu)
2. Go to the Students tab and click on Student Registration&rdquo;
3. Click onto the checklist of documents as applicable to students on the basis of their qualification,
4. Now Click on Proceed to Registration
5. Select the Course type as applicable viz. Foundation, Executive Programme etc.
6. Fill other fields.
7. Click on the option-Make Payment for effecting necessary payments. ( Payment is to be made either by credit/debit card /net banking or through bank challan system)
8. After making payment students shall get user name & password at their registered e-mail ID / or Mobile No. for uploading their documents. Username of the student is Students Registration Number&rdquo; which students get instantly after making payment.
9. Students are further required to upload scanned copies of the documents in support of their qualifications in specified file formats by login at their respective accounts at My Account&rdquo; option to get their registration process completed.

NOTE: Animated help to do online registration is also available on www.icsi.edu before student proceeds for online registration.

Attention:-
Before Proceeding to registration form please make sure that you are ready with the softcopy of the documents mentioned on this page.

&Oslash; All the files should be present in one of the following formats (jpg, jpeg, png, gif, bmp).
&Oslash; The maximum allowed file size is 5 MBs.
&Oslash; File size of student photo should be between 20kb - 50kb.
&Oslash; File Size of student signature should be between 10kb - 20kb.

ICSI - IGNOU CourseBACHELOR OF COMMERCE (B.COM) WITH MAJOR IN CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATIONEligibility for Admission:
(a) 10 + 2 or its equivalent ; and
(b) Registration in Company Secretaryship, Foundation Programme.Students who have passed Company Secretaryship Intermediate/Executive Programme Course shall also be eligible for admission.Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi.Fee Structure: Rs. 4800/-Programme Structure: This programme comprises of:

4 courses of Bachelor Degree Programme (BDP) programme of IGNOU,

4 courses of Foundation Programme of Company Secretaryship and

6 courses of Executive Programme of Company Secretaryship.

Duration of the Programme: Minimum 3 years and maximum 6 years

MASTER OF COMMERCE (M.COM) IN BUSINESS POLICY AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCEEligibility for Admission:
(a) Graduate in any discipline or equivalent qualifications from a recognized University/Institute.
(b) Passed in Company Secretaryship Executive Programme.Candidates who have already passed the Company Secretaryship course shall also be eligible for admission.Programme Structure: The programme consists of:

4 courses from the existing M.Com. programme offered by IGNOU

8 courses of Company Secretaryship Professional Programme offered by ICSI.

Medium of Instruction: English and Hindi.Fee Structure: Rs. 6000/-

Duration of the Programme: Minimum 2 years and a maximum period of 5 years.

OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD FOR CS
Many Company Secretaries are already working in various countries like the US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-east, Africa, etc. With their research and legal bent of mind, their employers have recognized their professional skill sets. They also possess managerial capabilities and analytical skills.
After the globalisation of services through WTO and GATS, the field is opening in various countries for practicing Company Secretaries as well. India is entering into bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements with countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Mauritius etc. These agreements recognize Company Secretaries for free movement of professionals across borders. ICSI has entered into an MoU with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK. This MoU recognizes Company Secretaries of both the countries on certain conditions. The process of globalisation and the process of comprehensive economic cooperation that India is initiating has also set in motion mutual recognition agreements between the ICSI and Institutes governing the profession in various other countries. This is opening up the world to Company Secretaries.

MOU with ICSA, LondonThe ICSI and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK (ICSA) after satisfying the high standards of examination and appreciating each others activities in promoting the best practices in Company Secretaries and professional education & administration signed an MOU which provides for reciprocal exemptions on mutual basis.

Members of ICSI are exempted from passing 14 out of 17 papers and are required to pass the following three core papers to acquire the membership of ICSA:

Members of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, in good standing for a period of two years, can avail of the benefit of the MOU.

MOU with CISI, London

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and Chartered Institute for Secrutites and Investment, London, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in terms of which ICSI inter alia will offer certain units of CISI qualifications in capital markets, commodity markets, fund management, wealth management and investment banking as electives to both its students & members. This will provide them an exposure to the Securities & Investment industry apart from an internationally recognised qualification.

CISI has offered certain recognitions to ICSI students who have passed the Executive Programme, which will facilitate their obtaining the International Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ).

CISI has also recognised membership of ICSI for automatic membership of CISI at the associate level (ACSI). Senior practitioners of ICSI in Securities and Investment industry would be entitled to apply for Membership (MCSI).

MOU with Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAISCSA)

ICSI has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA). The MOU will help students and members in attending the training programmes, exchange of course material and undertake research projects.

Exemptions

Exemption from individual paper(s) of the Executive Programme Examination
A candidate shall be exempted from the following paper(s) of the Executive Programme examination if he/she possesses the qualification(s) specified against each paper, having secured 50% or more marks in the aggregate and applies for exemption on or before last date for enrolment for the examination paying requisite exemption fee which at present is ` 1,000/- per paper :
1. Industrial, Labour and General Laws: A Degree in Law (three years or five years integrated) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
2. Cost and Management Accounting: M.A. (Corporate Secretaryship)/ M.Com./M.B.A. (with Advanced Accountancy as one of the subjects at B.Com/B.B.A./B.A. (Corporate Secretaryship) level and with full paper in Cost Accounting/Management Accounting/Financial Management at M.A. (Corporate Secretaryship)/M.Com./M.B.A. level having secured 50% marks in the subject concerned) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
A candidate who has done Post Graduate Diploma in Management will be considered for exemption from the paper (CA & CMA) only if he/she submits documentary evidence from AICTE/AIU to the effect that PGDBM issued is equivalent to MBA.
3. Tax Laws and Practice: M.A./M.B.A. (Corporate Secretaryship) from a recognised University/Institute either constituted under an Act of Parliament or approved by AICTE/AIU.
4.16.5 Paperwise Exemption to Cost Accountants
A candidate who has passed the Final examination of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, shall be exempted from the following papers of the Executive Programme examination on making an application together with attested copy of the Final Pass certificate and the requisite exemption fee @ ` 1,000/- per paper on or before the last date of submission of enrolment application for the examination:
1. Cost and Management Accounting (Module I, Paper 2)
2. Tax Laws and Practice (Module I, Paper 4)
3. Company Accounts and Auditing Practices (Module 2, Paper 5).
A candidate who has passed the Final examination of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India shall be exempted from the following papers of the Professional Programme examination on making an application in this behalf together with attested copy of the Final Examination Pass Certificate of Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI-CMA) and the requisite exemption fee @ ` 1,000/- per paper on or before the last date for submission of enrolment application for the examination :